PA Gas Prices Break All-Time Record High Again

PENNSYLVANIA — Once again, gas prices have surged to a record high in Pennsylvania and much of the country as the fallout from the crisis in eastern Europe continues to make itself felt worldwide, according to the latest report from the pumps by AAA.

The statewide average of a gallon of gas is now at $4.50, snapping the record of $4.42 set back in mid-March just a few weeks after Russia first invaded Ukraine. The statewide cost has gone up 15 cents in the past week.

Increases have been even sharper in the five-county greater Phialdelphia area, with a 27-cent increase over the past week for a new record of $4.64. The previous record was $4.48, also set in mid-March.

Much of the country is seeing another surge, with demand for gas rising with the warmer weather. But there's also been a rise in crude oil prices, after the European Union 's recent proposal to ban all Russian oil imports within the next months. The proposal would also see the EU ban all refined product imports from Russia by the end of the year, they announced last week.

"Given that global crude supply remains tight, crude prices will likely remain volatile amid the news that supply could get tighter if the ban is implemented," AAA said.

Pennsylvania's 17-cent price increase placed it among the 10 most significant nationwide over the past week, along with Michigan (30 cents), Ohio (19 cents), Washington, D.C. (18 cents), New Jersey (17 cents), Connecticut (16 cents), West Virginia (+16 cents), Indiana (16 cents), North Carolina (16 cents), and Vermont (16 cents).

Before this winter and spring, the previous record high for gas in Philadelphia and statewide in Pennsylvania was set in 2008.